when he went toe to toe with newt gingrich in florida in a debate, that was a very strong performance but he stumbles with the 47%. and republicans just don't think that he can be consistent over this month plus. >> bill: so it leaves up to -- well, the debates. right? now, i want to get your take on this. to point out that this idea that the debate is going to turn things around, that's the same thing they said about his choice of a vice presidential running mate right. that was going to catapult him into the lead. then they said wait until tampa. the republican -- catapult him. now they're saying wait until next wednesday's debate. >> i think it is going to be tough. ryan helped him a little bit in the beginning. conservatives rallied around it. there has been a disappointment there hasn't been a bold choice. this is tough for romney. romney needs to go deep now. he's down. it is fourth quarter. he's down. but then if you start attacking relentlessly, then you look desperate. so the first debate is big. but remember, john kerry won the first debate against bush. >> bill: i find that